yeah, the weekend!!

First of all, Zach is coming home today!!! Graland is going to get him. Can't wait to sit and talk!

I'm just glad for a few days of rest and recovery! lol Every day I've come home and napped before bedtime. Not sure how much is the chemo...I know a portion of it. My legs have hurt off and on, but not sooo bad that my kids knew anything. I just try to keep on moving! :) We were supposed to visit Cynthia's for labor day but I don't think Graland is going to let me leave town! He's already said he's keeping me in the house so I'll be ready for next week.

I don't think going to Nacogdoches twice and spending the day at the hospital helped any either!! It'll be a long weekend and I I know I'll be just as pooped Tuesday! lol He does try to limit me and I'm glad for it. I'm trying not to push myself so I'll be ready for my treatments.

Working on a great project with my school kids...can't wait to finish it today!

I think it finally happened.

Amongst the benefits of chemo, alongside not having to shave the underarms or legs, not having to spend time in front of the mirror doing your hair or going to the beautician, is the best news of all...no AF (Aunt Flo- your period)!! The chemo makes you sterile, which at this point in my life, I'm WAY OK with! I thought it would have ceased several months ago, and kept telling the doctor "Hey, still got AF! When is she leaving?!" She kept telling me that I must have hearty ovaries!! lol So last month I was kinda worried as AF was supposed to arrive the FIRST day of school!! YIKES!!! Because there is nothing normal about my AF! Sorry TMI (too much information). But it is extremely heavy. Praise God 2nd grade has bathrooms in their rooms!!

So...first day of school...nothing. Well, actually had been barely spotting for a few days. That's all I've had this week!! I am beyond excited!!! YEAH CHEMO!!! I shouldn't even have that probably next month! Sometimes she stays away after your treatments are finished. That would be SOOO nice!! Of course with this also comes the hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. I haven't experienced them yet, but we'll see! :)

Great day at school!

It is hard to believe I just had chemo!!! School went well. I told Donna that this is the first year that I actually slept the night before! I am usually so nervous and excited that I wake every 30 minutes! I told her it reminded me of the song "I'm Not Who I Was". She reminded me that I was finally trusting the Lord for all of this and not myself! Praise God!!!

As I said the day went well, but I was so tired by the time I went to therapy at 4. The arm bike wore me out, but ahhhh, the mat!!! I could lie down finally! lol Boy, I could have slept, but Sherry kept wanting to do the exercises!! lol I DID take a nap when I got home and slept very well last night!

Ding! Ready for day two!
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Just got an email from Val (my sister). She sent along a really cute poem!!!

Attitude
There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.

Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did,
and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror
and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

"H-M-M," she said,
"I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did,
and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

"Well," she said,
"today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did,
and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.

"YEA!" she exclaimed,
"I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything.

Taxol Round1 Day1

Wow!! Saturday is THE day to drive in Houston!! :) Or at least early in the morning is!

Had a bite of breakfast as soon as we got to the Main Building, then off to the chemo floor. Weighed in (still gaining...Dr. Green says because of the steroids) and had blood pressure taken.

This time, I did not get the before-chemo bags. The ones with anti-nausea or calming drug. Just 10 whatevers of steriod. She said if this goes well, then they'll drop it down to 4 whatevers. So, steroids first then waited about 20 minutes for it to get in my system. Then started the bag of taxol. It ran about a hour I guess. They came in every 15 minutes for this one to check blood pressure and temp for fever of any kind. I did feel warm the whole time...while it is usually popsicle freezing over there.

Came home and took a short nap....just from the drive, but some from the chemo too. Also, Graland said he wasn't going to take me to CVS until I napped!! lol He knows what's best for me. It is nearly ten and still no meds!! yipppeeee Hoping tomorrow will be just as good.

CVS...now that most hair has vacated its premises, the eyebrows are starting to thin. I saw several weeks ago eyebrow stencils...to help color in proper shaped eyebrows. I want to start the school year with it at least to a small degree so that when they ARE gone..if they go completely, it won't be a drastic change. We'll already be accustomed to the color pencil. They look very nice and I think I'll get the hang of it quickly.

Off to College

Though I didn't think it would happen, I DID live through yesterday. It was as bad as I imagined it would be. :( I woke early for school and Zach had asked to be woken early as well so we could spend time. I've been getting to school at 6, 6:30 each morning even though we don't need to be there until 8. But this morning I waited as long as I could, not getting there until 7:45. I was wobbly, but doing OK until Graland said I HAD to leave. Unfortunately, I lost it then. :( It was bad. I went to Zach and hugged him tight (while bawling) and told him I didn't want him to leave, but that I was so proud of him and I knew he was going to have fun at SFA. (man, that was a run-on sentence!!) I finally just had to turn and leave the house. Got in the truck and cried all the way to school. Graland gave me a napkin before I left! lol I got to school and parked, then just howled! Big sobs, it wasn't pretty. (Almost as bad as my diagnosis the day after I found out and had driven to school that morning...but without the screams.) Kaci told me later that all the girls cried when they left the driveway! :)

You know how you are polite and ask people how they're doing in the morning? Got lots of those and boy, don't you know they wished they hadn't have asked!! lol Just kept saying My son is going to college today! I know they thought something was wrong with me/healthwise. I kept having to just kinda laugh so they knew it wasn't bad news or anything. But I did get to cry on many a shoulder and no one laughed at me thankfully.
-------------------
SFA! Graland took Zach, had breakfast and made it to the dorms. His roommate, Frank, hadn't made it in yet, so Zach got first pick of beds and desks. Yeah! They got everything fixed up, shirts hung, clothes put away, bed made, computer set up and connected to wifi, etc. By the time I got home, Graland had already made it back. I got on the computer and Zach was online (IM). So I got to talk to him online. His laptop has a camera on it, so he showed us his room for a while. Called the girls in so they could see his room too. He was typing, so the camera was on him, so I took a screenshot and saved it. We talked a while and I kept telling him to make sure he ate!!! After a while, I signed off (to encourage his eating).

Later I got back on and he was on again! Said he and 9 others from the dorm had gone to eat at a Mexican restaurant. Yeah!!! I was sooo happy! We talked a while again and then I said I needed to sign off to get ready for my appt on Saturday. Told him goodnight and that I loved him, and wrote that he loved me. So, yes, took another screen shot of the message to keep in my files. It was very special.
---------------------
Can I just say that I have THE best teaching team??!!! The second grade teachers, and YES!!! I DO include our two new teachers are absolutely awesome. The two new teachers are incredible and fit our team like a glove. One of those things where you feel like you've known them for years. We're going to have a great year! God is sooo good!!!! :)

Off to get my chemo!

Doctors Appt & Meet the Teacher Night

I was able to take the morning off to go to my doctors appt. Had blood work done first, then saw Dr. Green. I talked with Alice first (her nurse) and we talked about the previous round of chemo. I told her it wasn't so bad. The shot was a doozy, but the rest was fine. I did mention that earlier this week I had trouble with my knees. When I'd stand it would be very painful in the knees and sometime it would shoot down my legs making it difficult to stand or walk. It continued through the day, but I thought it was just my knees...as they do that ever so often when I haven't been on stairs or from sitting too long. Alice said it was from the chemo. I remarked, "Really? Even thought it's been a while since the dose?" yep! So now I know to recognize it as that if it happens again. She wrote it down as Loss of function on her chart.

We didn't talk about my blood count so I guess it was OK!! I do go in on Saturday for my Taxol. They all said it was very mild. Good thing...now I can take Tylenol or Advil!!! YEAH!!!! Still have to keep on eye if I get a fever. I can take the anti nausea IF I need it, but she said most don't need anything. So, I don't suppose I'll need anything at all! :)

OH!!!! I got a new scarf! It is beautiful and Zoe says Snazzy! It felt GREAT!!! It has pinks and browns in it and Zoe is right...snazzy!! :)

We went from there straight back to school to finish my morning in preparation for Meet the Teacher night. My room looked fantastic!! Everything was in it's place, nice vanilla aroma, dim lights, powerpoint going, low celtic music. Very pleasant. On the way to the hospital, I looked through last years yearbook and memorized faces and names and did pretty well this evening on putting names to faces. I really do think I have a great class!!!

And I have to say I still have a long way to go on interpreting from a fluent signer!!! I caught some here and there, but she was sooo fast! And ASL. But we DID communicate and she didn't seem at all put out or frustrated with me, so Praise God!!! :) The daughter is a sweetie and I look forward to learning from her as she will from me.

Where is Allen Funt when you need him? (Candid Camera) One of Donna's previous students came in and we were talking in the hall. She came over to me to give me a hug and I felt my hair catch on her barrett or something. At the same time I thought I stepped on her toe and apologized to her. She said, No I didn't step on her toe, but she thought she caught my hair. The teachers standing around all looked quickly!! We joked how I mighta had to hug her a little bit longer until I got my hair back!! ha ha!!!! Come here sweetie...I missed you sooo much!! Let's hug a little longer!! Thankfully, it didn't move or come off or anything!! lol But lesson learned, watch for barretts or eyeglasses!! Could be a little more lesson than what was on the lesson plan! I met 11 of the 18 kids and can't wait to meet the rest of them on Monday!

Did I mention that I cried myself to sleep last night? We were in prayer time and one of the girls did something silly and I kinda giggled. Then I looked at Zach and he was smiling big and I got to laughing. Well, we're in the middle of singing!!! I can't sing or anything cause I got the giggles. When we finish Graland says that that was NO praising and we're doing it again! lol So this time I DON'T look at Zach and keep from looking at him. Then I'm thinking of Newsboys Something Beautiful....the line that always gets me WHEN WE LAUGH SO HARD WE CRY,
OH THE LOVE BETWEEN YOU AND I, SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. (No this is NOT a romantic song, but a song of family.) I'm not looking and I start crying...we can always look at each other and crack up laughing without saying a word. We've always been able to. I couldn't have asked for a better son. He doesn't talk back, not smart-alecky, and very appreciative. Went to bed and just cried til I slept. I miss my boy.

Bring the Rain

What a perfect song...it's been out a while, but I'm only now hearing it! It is Bring the Rain by Mercy Me. Also the link to the youtube

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Is the Lord God Almighty

-----------------
and a special praise to God for His healing hand on my friends test results!!! I would have bawled for bad news, but bawled just as much for the good news!!! God is sooo good!!! I love you friend!!! :)

R4 D16 Camp Cho Yeh

First day back at PRE!!! YEAH!!! It was wonderful! PRE had such a special day planned for us at Camp Cho Yeh. I'd never been there before so it was even that much better. We loaded two buses and made that long, long drive to the camp. (5 minutes!) Although we had a few sprinkles, it was mostly sunny, then overcast. But overall, very warm!

I took my red, white, & blue scarf with me just in case, but left it on the bus. I figured if it got too hot I'd just come back to the bus and do a switch-er-roo. No luck! They took the buses back to the entrance I guess or maybe back to school, I don't know!

So we do some exercises to begin with to loosen up for our team building exercises. Can't say I did them all that pretty, but I did them as best as I could! :) It was funny...in one of the games we played, we were divided into 3 groups. The one outer group was trying to relay a message to the other side while the inner group would yell and carry on so they couldn't get the message across. Wouldn't you just know it...we had a deaf interpreter in each group!!! What a hoot!

Afterwards, it was getting quite hot enough for me to high-tail it back to the bus...but no bus! So as our group was making its' way into the woods, I asked our leader to call the bus driver to bring me my scarf (said I didn't know WHICH bus it was, but one of them and it would be mid way down the bus). Didn't tell the leader WHY or anything, just that I wanted my scarf. So he calls and they eventually get it to me. So I have it and think, "Now shoot! How do I get it on with all these people?!" I know the leader is thinking, "Well you got your dern scarf - tie it and make yerself pretty already!!" ha ha So I just hold on to it for a little while.

I finally see that the group beside on (on the low log) were facing the other direction and our group it making its way to another section of woods (the swinging log). I make myself be the last in line and do a quick yank off the hair and slip on the scarf before we make it to the log. I had it pre-tied, so it went on quickly, BUT I had it very tight and it was hard getting the thing on!! lol I thought I'd never get it over my ears. Then with it on tight, I still needed to put my glasses back on UNDER the scarf!

So now I've got this raccoon in my hands...what to do, what to do? Stick in my pocket!! lol And cover it with my shirt. I look like I'm shoplifting!! (hmmm...in the woods?) About this time Marie (our new AP) comes along and I ask if she has a plastic bag. She looks questioningly a bit, then says OH! For your hair! :D So she takes it for me! Now if your assistant principal can take your hair from you, you KNOW they're going to be a great AP!! yeah Marie!

And YES!!! It was SOOO much cooler and more comfy with the scarf! :D

Afterwards, I was talking with SueAnn about a presentation we're giving on Tuesday. She made the remark that was so sweet and something I had to think about for a while. I finally had to tell it to Graland because it touched me so. She said she thought it was cool that I felt comfortable enough around everyone to have changed into a scarf.

Well, you know? I DID!!! They're my family.

But, the BEST comment I got all day was from Mrs. Nettles!! We were beside each other during exercises and glanced my way and she said, "Oh you got your hair frosted...I like it!" :D (not that I want people to go around giving me compliments all day!!! Cause they all KNOW now!) But it was a good feeling. My hair looked horrible by the way!! The funny part is that so did some others (not horrible, but not indoor-beautiful) and *I* got to take mine off and look GREAT while they had to keep theirs on! ha ha Gotta love no-hair days! :D

inservice tomorrow

What a day! Kaci went to PT with me this morning. I'm glad she got to see what all I did there. Glad I didn't cry!! lol Then off to school to finish putting software on the teachers computers. Ran into some looooooong problems. But thankfully, there is technical support on what we are working on and they walked me through.

The teachers start back tomorrow!!! It's been a short summer for me, very full with chemo and PT. I keep going to school hoping to get some things run off and it hasn't happened yet! lol My own fault, but I like knowing the team is taken care of so we have smooth year. And I'll get my things fun eventually. (I hope!)

Came home to another of God's blessings. The church sent some money which you have no idea how thankful I am for this!!! Insurance is about to start it's new year which means new deductible. It'll only take ONE chemo treatment to reach our deductible and also the out of pocket portion. God is soooo good!!!

I was thinking last night about having to give this presentation for school and being in front of the group. I thought that it was a sad thing to think that it is highly probable that another of our teachers could be in my shoes at any time. This disease is just rampant. I'm praying the Lord will spare our campus. They are too busy right now praying for me! And not to be selfish or anything, but I'm still needing all the prayers they have to offer.

Another thing about inservice: I was diagnosed Jan 30, had surgery April 9, April 25, and April 30, and started PT June 8. Truly I have been home since April 9 with the exception of returning to school for one week at the end of the term. Graland has treated me like royalty (well, he always has!) and we've gotten even closer than before. Going back now full time will end our beautiful days together. Actually, I shouldn't say that....every day with Graland whether a full one or not, is beautiful! :) He has seen me through some very rough days and I couldn't have done this without him.

graduated & school

I forgot to mention!!!! I graduated from physical therapy 3 times a week to 2 times a week!! YEAH!!!! I am so excited about this!! I eat, drink, and sleep stretching. Graland has been helping with some of the stretches as well in the evening. Still working a lot on the rotation. I know I might not get it back 100%, but we sure are getting close!

I find it curious how many people have been surprised that I am going to be teaching in the fall. I feel fine, yes going through chemo still, but feeling fine. It has just never (not even during surgeries, etc, or even through chemo) occurred to me to not go back. I couldn't imagine not being there. I must credit God for protecting me and keeping Satan from his attacks. I guess I could easily have been knocked over and beaten and told I was gone. But I have never (well, maybe once or twice) felt this way. Paul said to keep your eye on the prize and not look back.

R4 D8 met w/the plastic surgeon

The other day Kaci asked about when they did plastic surgery...what....? She was confused about the plastic part. I assured her that he didn't put any plastic in me. lol That they can move skin from one place to another to help heal that area We agreed that 'plastic' was an odd word to use sometimes! :)

It was so good to see Kronowitz without having to leave the house at 4am!! Lately, I had only seen him for surgeries which required an early morning to get there by 6am. So, this 1:15 appt was perfect. Left about 10:30, got there without much traffic, had time to eat at the May's cafeteria and do some shopping before the appointment.

I did want to pass by the Appearances shop before my appt. It's on the 2nd floor along with the place where I get the blood samples taken, a gift shop, hospitality room, Wellness center (classes you can take), the cafeteria, and the skywalk. Many more things on the 2nd floor...also a lending library. Appearances has breast prosthesis, swimsuits for mastectomy patients, jewelry, hats, scarves, gifts, etc in their shop. I go in every time we visit just to look around. I've gotten a cap on clearance there once. It's pretty wild looking...a very colorful animal kinda print. Actually, not a cap, but more of a do-rag! I love it.

But after researching online and knowing there was such a thing as a nipple prothesis and also knowing that they had breast prosthesis, I thought I'd check before my appt. However, I've never seen anything there before. Went in and went to the breast section and there it was! Nipolean!! I couldn't believe it. The Lord has just never directed my eyes to it before. I guess it wasn't in my mind or knowledge of its' existence so didn't know to look before. But it was there in different sizes and colors. A very flexible silicone. Goes on with a roll-on water soluble glue. Reminds me of a soft contact in how it feels and how it is applied. AND!!!!! it was in the $30 range!!!!! So after talking with the lady...she suggested I take them to the dressing room to get the right size/color for me to match! :) (Granted there are only two colors to choose from.) I was thrilled and bought it right away.

I told Graland, who was waiting outside the shop, that I was giddy and could cry I was so happy!! It was this huge weight off my shoulders and such a relief that I can't describe. It made going into my appt with Kronowitz a breeze and I could go in confidently. I had already decided to let him know my plans and to say that I knew that SOMEWHERE out there were these prostheses and that I would search til I found something. Thus far it had been vague..guess I wasn't doing a good enough search online.

So, we wait in the waiting room until about 4:15 (3 hours). Read a couple of Reader's Digest and just talked...I had nowhere else to go and it was a nice rest. Graland made the most lovely remark about how Kronowitz was in there with women who were just starting this journey and that we weren't in that position anymore, but on the 'getting released' side of it. And yes, I wanted him to spend as much time with them as he needed. Never got upset that we waited or questioned the receptionist or anything...it was very pleasant!

I went back with a nurse I hadn't had before. She asked if this was a visit (already knowing my file) to talk about possible refinements. I said I was hoping for a visit to talk about possible no refinements! lol She smiled, well, then to talk about nipple reconstruction? no, not that either. I'm very happy with where I am now. She smiled and laughed...well you're an easy patient! lol I told her I had just bought the prosthesis and that I was over the moon. That with a bra or swimsuit I was "normal". She said Really? Even a swimsuit? One side doesn't 'show' and the other one 'not'. (not getting more specific here) I told her I didn't do suits that 'showed' anything...don't like those kinda suits and the one I do have is slighted padded and no, nothing shows, and they're a perfect match. I'm happy!

She left and after a bit Kronowitz, the nurse, another doctor-in-training, and Jennifer (who I was missing and hoped to see) came in. He was in such a good mood today and had already talked to the nurse and knew how I was feeling and my thoughts on going further. He asked if it was the thought of implants or the surgery. Well, yes the implants bothered me a bit, but yes, the surgery was a big part too! lol He laughed. Said I was looking very good and that surgery must have agreed with me. I laughed and said Yeah, I shoulda done it a long time ago! lol

Then he checked his work and said that it was too early anyway to be thinking about any further surgeries...that he wouldn't be suggesting it this early. The breast still needs to soften a lot more and will over time. He said in about 6 months we'd talk again and he'd see if he can sway me then. I told him I'd listen then. He also said he could do a lift without an implant and that that could be another option.

After they left, Jennifer stayed behind to catch up on me. We talked a bit more about reconstruction and what it entailed. One part was just a liposuction on the side he did to soften it a bit...would take a few minutes, no big deal. I'm open to that. The other was the lift w/o implants. She did assure me that NONE of the remaining surgeries would be ANYTHING like what I've already gotten. They couldn't compare...and to not be afraid to go further...but that, like Kronowitz said, it was still too early to be thinking about surgeries.

Got home, relaxed and showered. Got my new friend as I showered to see how it worked. Just like a contact! Even with just water from the shower the suction it gets just from the dampness adhered it (w/o the glue). It is morning now and still no sign of it wanting to fall off. I'm not sure how to describe it. Like having your husband go away for several months. You miss him..you get along day by day...and things go on as much as usual. But then he comes back and you just don't know what you did without him. The part of you that was missing ... returned. I guess that's what it is like. The part of me missing..that left me incomplete..is back.

R4 D6

Ahhh...the aches have gone away! And the headache I've had for the last two days has finally subsided. I'm having to get used to wearing the do all day for school. It's been nice to go "topless" so to speak! lol I didn't think I was going to be able to do that, go without hair around the family here, but they've not ever said a word! K & A like to come by and rub their palm against the fuzz!

After a wonderful heart to heart with Graland, I am feeling so much better! We are agreed on both our hearts, that I do not need any further surgeries. It's been too much. I am happy where I am. And with a bra, it looks like it always did! :) If I need to do anything further, I'll do a prostheses. yep, they even do a nipolean protheses. Not sure if MD does them, but if I ever need to go that route, it is there. So, we'll see what Dr. Kronowitz says. But in the meantime, I'm at peace with my decision.

R4 D4 run down

Feeling much better today. Don't have the major achy feeling all over..though it is still lingering a bit. What I DO feel is just plain run down. But I keep thinking...this is the last time I'll feel like this!! YAY!!

I'm taking one more day from PT to get all the way "back". But I have been using my theraband and doing a lot of stretching.

I have an appt with Kronowitz (plastic surgeon) on Thursday. I just don't want any more surgeries, but at the same time, want to be "normal". My next surgery would be nip-polean reconstruction. I guess I should hear him out first, but at the moment, I am terrified of the visit. :(

R4 D3 w/our new pony

Woke this morning to major aches! I kept telling myself during the night to take my pain meds, but didn't until this morning. Didn't really help that much, but a little. PRAISE GOD!!!! No fever this time!! YEAH!!!! But even going to the potty I'd say...OHHHHH even the buns hurt!!

Abbie helped me with physical therapy today. She enjoys doing that and is very good with me. She is a doll. When we are through with some arm exercise, she'll kiss the arm or the hand or whatever. I'll tell her, You know, Sherry just doesn't kiss my hand like you do...that's why I must be doing better today! lol She just looks real proud! :o) She's my Abbie.

I didn't THINK I had the sleeps like I did last time, but it came on this evening! Heavy eyelids. I'll be glad to go to bed this evening.

The girls went to VBS this week and came home with a horse balloon. They have a stall set up in their room and of course he now has a saddle, food, bridle, etc. for his well-keeping. Here are a few pictures we took! And a picture of my hair from my first wig. I restyled it to look like what I had. I really like it! Here I am with my most favorite person!! xxxooo

R4 D2

Made it through my last big round of chemo - FAC. Somehow, didn't feel so good when she was doing it and kinda got an upset stomach. The smell of the alcohol's are strong and hard to handle...so I'm pretty sure that is what it was. So I asked Graland to go me a Coke and the nurse says, Wait, we have some...I'll get one for you. Then I tell him to at least go down and get me some cookies...he starts leaving...No wait, we have those too, I'll get some for you! lol So I ate and drank and it did make me feel better. I'm still tired from the treatment and could really be napping right now, which I'll do. We go back in this afternoon late for the Neulasta shot.

Good news! While talking to Dr. Green I asked about the Taxol. Told her how my first dose is on Saturday before I start school on Monday. She said that wasn't a problem at all...I shouldn't need any meds or anything once I start those like I have now. Much milder. I had the opportunity to get my appt with Dr. Green the Thursday before school starts (which I have) and she said I could get my chemo that day too!! Yeah!! But then I realized I had Meet the Teacher that night and there would be NO WAY I'd be able to make it back in time for that. And I've already promised Dr. Sewell I'd be there. However, promises or no, I do NOT want to miss Meet the Teacher again!! I missed it last year with Aunt Glenda being sick and in the hospital. I need to be there this year...it just sets the year off right and I love to see my babies!! and get to know them early.

Pray for my Neulasta. She did say that my counts were up, but certainly not gangbusters by any means! That is so shocking as I can feel that I had much more energy. But since it was up SOME I'm hoping to not go through and fever this time. Don't mind the aches so much...they go away in a day, and so does the fever...but it concerns me...don't want to make a hospital trip that I don't need to make!

R3 D21 Last FAC tomorrow

Well, tomorrow marks the 4th and last FAC treatment. That means I am exactly HALF-WAY through my treatments!!! I cannot complain at all, they have been 'not bad'. Certainly and thankfully, not the scary stories and experiences I've heard. I don't know why, but God has been SO good...and prayers have definitely been answered.

Not sure if I ever mentioned by lost wedding band. :( I haven't worn my engagement ring in about a year. It's been resized and it fits well, but the setting keeps coming loose. I get it tightened and in about a month it is loose again, so I don't wear it. During my first or second treatment...my first I think, I took it off because I thought my hands may swell during treatment and didn't want it to get stuck. So we put it in one of our bags for safekeeping. Well, it is still safe, just not sure where! So, I haven't worn a wedding band for several months now and it drives me crazy! This week after a PT I went to an antique store in town and got a new ring! :) It is just a silver plated ring with a big light-green emerald cut stone in it. Pretty and hoping it doesn't turn my finger green!! lol I really like it and feel much better being on the "taken" side again! In the meanwhile, I will continue to look for my ring.

After this round tomorrow, I'll do weekly's with Taxol on Saturdays. Thanksgiving...here I come!! That is when I will be through with my treatments.